Hi Connie!
Congratulations on your engagement! Since your wedding is going to be so intimate, I can suggest some options that might be less conventional but better suited to the unique scale and budget you mentioned. We attended a wedding at the Santa Barbara courthouse that wasn’t “officially” booked there. The couple set a time and date for their friends and family to meet up there on the grounds and they stood in a semicircle around the couple and officiate as they exchanged their vows and rings. She still had her dress and attendants, and the ceremony was very beautiful. Afterwards they had a parade down the street to a local restaurant where more guests met them for their reception.
If you choose to meet at a public park like Grant Park in Ventura, be aware that it is a public space and there may be a scheduled event. Try calling as an interested bride to see what their schedule looks like first. You could even try a beach wedding, if that would appeal to you or a reception in your backyard or that of a friend.
If you want to book a location in Ventura, you could try the Poinsettia Pavilion. They have really large spaces but also some smaller ones as well.
Good Luck!